Airport strike: Air travelers have these rights and claims

Strikes at the airport are one of the biggest annoyances for air passengers, who often wait for hours and are left in uncertainty as to whether their flight will take off on schedule or not. In this context, it is important to know what rights and claims passengers have in the event of a strike at the airport. Likewise, it is crucial to know if your own airport is affected by a strike and how to find out this information.

In this blog article, you will learn everything you need to know about the topic of “Strike Airport” – so that you are well informed in the event of a strike and can assert your rights as an air passenger:in. Our goal is to help you do this so that you can make your trip as smooth as possible.

Strike at the airport – The most common reasons

Why do airports go on strike? Airport employees may go on strike for a variety of reasons, ranging from working conditions and salaries to staffing and collective bargaining or other employee demands. However, strikes can also occur due to external factors such as severe weather conditions or technical problems in air traffic.

• Collective bargaining
• Working conditions
• Personnel problems
• Safety concerns
• Restructuring
• Irregular working hours

There are many other reasons why a strike may occur at the airport. In general, these strikes can have a significant impact on passengers, as they can lead to flight cancellations, delays and inconvenience.

What if there is a strike at the airport?

If there is a strike at the airport, there may be flight cancellations, delays, rebookings, or changes in the flight schedule. Passengers are therefore strongly advised to check whether their flight is affected before traveling and, if necessary, obtain information in good time.

Is my airport affected by the strike? This is how you find out

If you want to know if your airport is affected by a strike, there are several ways to find out. One is to visit the airport’s website to get the latest information on flight operations. Another option is to call the airport directly and inquire about the impact of the strike on flight operations. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the airline you plan to travel with to find out if your flight is affected. If ground staff or pilots are on strike, some airlines offer the option of being notified by text message.

Current flight delays and cancellations

In our table you can find current flight cancellations and delays and check directly with our free compensation calculator whether your flight is entitled to compensation.

What happens if the flight is cancelled due to strike?

If a flight is cancelled due to a strike, affected passengers are entitled to alternative transportation to their destination or a refund of the ticket price. The choice between these two options is up to the passenger. If the airline offers alternative transportation, it should be provided as promptly as possible and under comparable conditions to the originally booked flight. The airline is also obligated to provide the passenger with adequate food and accommodation, if necessary, until alternative transportation is possible.

It is important to note that for flights originating or terminating within the European Union (EU), or for flights from an EU country to a third country where the airline is based in the EU, passengers:inside may be entitled to compensation in addition to the right to alternative transportation or reimbursement of the ticket price. However, this depends on various factors such as the flight distance and the duration of the delay.

What happens to airline ticket in the event of a strike at the airport?

 If a flight is cancelled due to a strike at the airport, passengers are usually entitled to a refund of the airfare or alternative transportation to their final destination. If a passenger chooses to cancel the ticket because the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed due to a strike at the airport, they may be able to claim a full refund of the ticket price. It is important to note that this may vary depending on the type of ticket and the relevant booking conditions.

Airport strikes: Do passengers have alternatives?

As a rule, passengers are entitled to a refund of the ticket or to have the flight rescheduled for a later date. In some cases, passengers may also be entitled to choose an alternative flight route or take another flight at a later time or even to another airport nearby if this is the best option.

Strike airport: Who are my contact persons? Tour operators or the airline?

In principle, you have claims against both the tour operator and the airline in the event of flight delays or cancellations. However, the compensation you receive from the airline can be offset by the tour operator when reducing the price of the trip.

Flightright recommends that you claim your compensation directly from the airline if your flight is delayed by more than three hours or canceled. EU Regulation EC 261 binds the airline to certain regulations that grant you as an air traveler extensive rights and allow for compensation of up to €600 (minus a success commission).

Even if you are in the right, it can happen that airlines ignore claims. However, Flightright will be happy to assist you and can help you with legal experts in the complicated bureaucratic process of asserting your claim with the airline. 

What applies in the event of a strike by security personnel?

When security personnel go on strike, there can be significant delays and cancellations of flights, as no flight operations are possible without security checks. In this case, however, passengers cannot receive compensation directly from the airline, as the strike is considered an extraordinary circumstance over which the airline has no control.

However, the airline is obliged to do everything possible to minimize the impact of the strike on passengers. This includes, for example, providing information on the status of flights, assistance in rebooking flights, or providing meals and accommodation in the event of longer delays or cancellations. As a rule, passengers are entitled to these assistance services, in accordance with EU Regulation 261/2004.

What to do when there is a strike at airports?

What do I do if my flight is cancelled due to a strike? If your flight is cancelled due to a strike, there are some steps you can take to manage your situation:

• Have the reason for the delay/cancellation confirmed in writing by the airline company.
• Check with the airline about possible replacement transportation
• Insist on utilities and keep all receipts
• Determine your claim with our compensation calculator

Long waiting times due to a strike at the airport: What exactly are you entitled to?

If you are at the departure airport waiting for your flight, you can claim your right to benefits in the event of a delay or cancellation. The benefits to which you are entitled depend on the route. However, there are certain regulations that must be followed.

• Short distance up to 1,500 km: from two hours waiting time free drinks, snack, as well as e-mails, fax and two phone calls
• Medium distance 1,500 – 3,500 km: free drinks, meals and two phone calls, e-mails or faxes from three hours waiting time onwards
• Long distance from 3,500 km: from four hours start delay free drinks, meals and two phone calls, e-mails or faxes

If your flight is postponed to the next day, the airline is obliged, according to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, to arrange an overnight hotel stay for you as well as transportation to the hotel and back to the airport.

Strike airport: Who will take care of replacement transportation?

If there is a disruption to flight operations due to a strike at the airport, the airlines are generally responsible for organizing substitute transportation. They must comply with the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, which provides certain rules for flight cancellations and delays. As a rule, the airlines try to rebook their passengers on other flights or organize alternative means of transport such as buses or trains.

However, it is important to note that this is not always possible immediately and delays may occur. It is therefore advisable to contact the airline concerned directly for information and, if necessary, to arrange replacement transportation yourself.

My flight is cancelled due to strike – who pays for the damage?

If your flight is cancelled due to a strike by air or ground staff, the question quickly arises as to who will pay for the damage. Even if no direct financial damage is incurred, the principle of “time is money” usually applies. According to the European Air Passenger Rights Regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation of up to EUR 600.00 in the event of overbooking, flight cancellations and longer delays.

However, if a strike is the cause of the flight cancellation, passengers are normally not entitled to compensation. However, there are some specific exceptions to this rule. As a rule of thumb, you should check possible claims if the original strike at the airport preceded your flight cancellation or delay in time. This is because strike effects outside of the actual strike phase may be subject to compensation under certain conditions.

Who pays for flight cancellations in the event of a strike at the airport?

If a flight is cancelled due to a strike at the airport, the airline must offer the affected passengers alternative transportation or a refund of the airfare. If the airline offers an alternative means of transportation and the passenger accepts it, he or she is usually not entitled to any further compensation.

However, if you are not offered a suitable alternative and the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation, unless the reason for the cancellation or delay is due to extraordinary circumstances. When consumers:in are entitled to compensation – for example, because airline personnel are on strike – the amount of financial compensation is based on distance. In this case, travelers can claim compensation for flight cancellations or delays that occur due to strikes at the airport, which can be up to 600 euros per person, depending on the flight route (flight distance).

Flight canceled or delayed: compensation is possible – up to 600 euros

If a flight is cancelled or delayed, passengers are usually entitled to compensation. However, the airline may be exempt from paying compensation in the event of extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances include events beyond the control of the airline, such as a strike.

The Expert:innen of Flightright.com stresses however that with strikes each individual case must be examined individually, in order to determine whether actually unusual circumstances are present.

Strike at the airport: Entitlement to compensation – these conditions apply

• Airline personnel go on strike (such as pilots or flight crew).
• The flight does not take off or takes off late – for example, if the aircraft has a defect
• The flight does not arrive on time (minimum three hours delay) at the destination airport
• The strike did not occur more than six years ago

How much compensation can I get?

According to the EU Air Passenger Rights Regulation, the amount of compensation is calculated according to the flight route (distance):